Decoding ‘the Hispanic Paradox’
Why do Latino immigrants outlive other groups, despite more socioeconomic challenges? asks Seema Yasmin. The answer may be love.
Q&A: Touré on the realities of race
Fifty years after MLK’s dream speech, the MSNBC host talks about poverty, voter ID and Trayvon Martin.
Do classroom walkthroughs lead to higher student achievement?
Actually, a new study shows that the opposite may be true, says Daniel Willingham; it depends on teachers’ perceptions.
Privacy vs. anonymity in the NSA debate
Solving this riddle is the central question of the brave new digital world, even if our courts haven’t quite yet caught on, says Jed Rubenfeld.
Rap lyrics on trial
The work of amateur rappers is being used against them in court in alarming numbers, say Erik Nielson and Charis Kubrin.
Why must we waste so much time sleeping?
It allows your mind to play mental janitor, clearing out all the junk that has accumulated all day, says Maria Konnikova.
Talking Points: The week’s best quotes
Caraway on being green, A-Rod on hotel deliveries, Obama on Iran, Michelle Obama on Botox, Dewhurst on making money.
The hospital is no place for the elderly
Medical treatment for aging, chronically ill patients is costly and often ineffective, says Jonathan Rauch. Can they get better care at home?
Q&A: Keith Wenzel, former DPD trainer, on why he thinks shooting was likely justified
The former “Cops Cop” helped develop Dallas’ reality-based training. How does he view Police Chief David Brown’s overhaul?
Can upward mobility cost you your health?
Worn out from having their noses to the grindstone, people who overcome socioeconomic obstacles may let their health fall by the wayside, researchers say.
How the tea party undermines conservatism
Adherents of this governing philosophy must redefine how to tackle our nation’s quandary of the uneven playing field, says Michael Gerson.
Medical students: fluent in science, illiterate in health policy
It’s hard to reform a system you don’t understand; medical schools need to update their curricula, says Rahul Rekhi.
Editorial: Grading Mike Miles
We developed a scorecard to measure the DISD superintendent’s progress, using student performance metrics and leadership intangibles.
Talking Points: the week’s best quotes
UT’s new coach, Gates’ new memoir, the future’s new toothbrush, the polar vortex’s new hashtag, Chris Christie’s new traffic problem.
So they said ... our collection of the most notable quotes of 2013
A year in review of our most notable and quotable Talking Points.
When demons are real
T.M. Luhrmann shares her encounters in Africa with a God different from that of U.S. evangelicals.
The trick to keeping your New Year’s resolutions
Most of us need to overcome two big obstacles: optimism and inertia. Cass Sunstein tells you how.
Q&A: Michael Daniel on Dallas housing discrimination
The civil rights lawyer analyzes new HUD charges that Dallas officials discriminate in their affordable-housing decisions.
Let’s call off the education arms race
No, the latest international scorecard didn’t look good for the U.S. But playing catch-up with China isn’t the solution, says Wendy Kopp.
Were you hoodwinked by that brilliant, heart-tugging Apple ad?
Resist, says Mitch Albom. Apple wants you to believe an iMovie of your family moments is as important as the real moments. That’s wrong.
The most popular Points essays of 2013
Need some good reading material this week? Here's a countdown of the 10 articles that were most popular with readers online.
Texans of the Year: Those who answered the call at West
Those who answered the call in West make us proud to be Texans. They are the 2013 Dallas Morning News Texans of the Year.
How luxury is draining our vacations
The pursuit of comfort robs us of true adventure and experience, says Jonathan Look. When you surrender some control, the real magic happens.
Q&A: Scott Griggs on Dallas’ affordable-housing problems
The Dallas City Council member talks investment, upkeep and why southern Dallas feels dumped on.
Is the selfie ruining us?
When you become accustomed to a life of interruptions, you end up with less time to reflect on thoughts and experiences, says Sherry Turkle.
Let’s put an end to the misery of college essays
The only people who hate them more than students? The professors who have to grade them, says Rebecca Schuman.
Want people to be free? Abolish tourist visas
Evidence suggests that visas themselves do not have a clear effect on illegal immigration, says Leonid Bershidsky.
In drought-prone Texas, a threat to the energy supply
Power generation takes a lot of water, worrisome in dry spells, says Paul Faeth. But we’re better prepared than you’d think.
Talking Points: Notable quotes from the week’s news
Barbara Walters on Obama, ‘Duck Dynasty’ star on sin, Jindal on the First Amendment and Dez Bryant on sideline tears.
Navigating the in-law relationship
Feeling like a cautious, confused animal about your in-laws and the role you play in each other’s lives is completely normal, and even justified, says Leon Neyfakh.
Q&A: Rachel Croson on the evolution of business in a culture of disruption
The business dean at UT-Arlington talks about a brave new world of 3-D printing, augmented reality and involuntary transparency -- and how education must evolve.
Who goes to work to have fun?
Instead of trying to turn the office into a party, managers should create the conditions in which a variety of personalities can flourish, says Oliver Burkeman.
Disagreeing without rancor
Whatever happened to showing tolerance to those who share different views? asks Ruben Navarrette
Why recent moves to raise minimum wage are cause for concern
I generally support a modest increase, says Harry Holzer. But many proposed hikes are very large and very local, which could backfire.
Why the right should support boosting minimum wage, too
The failure to keep pace with productivity growth is only hurting workers, says Clarence Page.
Talking Points: Notable quotes from the week’s news
Mandela’s legacy, Obama’s selfie, GM’s new CEO, House’s compromise, American Airlines’ destiny, UT’s money, Kanye’s hazardous job
How well is Texas helping you succeed?
Yes, the state is great for business opportunity, notes Anne Kim. But for residents, the promise of opportunity rings hollow for many.
The fracking-earthquake connection
The lawsuits cropping up in North Texas are unlikely to change industry behavior, says Jordan Fletcher. For that, we may need to look to the state.
Q&A: Gregory Zuckerman on myths and concerns regarding fracking
His book chronicles the men who bet their careers on extracting oil and natural gas from deep shale rock.
Many in the arts world worthy of Texan of Year consideration
Nominees range from Matthew McConaughey to generous but anonymous arts patrons.
Manziel is my Texan of the Year for a bigger 2013, says Tim Cowlishaw
Johnny Football left nothing on the table this year while living the high life and sometimes taking the low road.
Talking Points: Quotable quotes from the week’s news
Bill Gates on books, Obama on Obamacare, 20-somethings on Obamacare, Bush 41 on LBJ, sex on the calorie meter
The risky business of dietary supplements
Don’t expect the FDA to protect you. A glaring example of what can go wrong is happening right here in Dallas, says Seema Yasmin.
Q&A: Amanda Ripley on creating the smartest kids in the world
The journalist and author shares what she learned about education by studying other countries’ successes.
All you need is luck
The Beatles’ success against all odds shows that making it big isn’t pre-ordained, says Cass Sunstein.
The truth about tornadoes and global warming
Despite recent deadly twisters, evidence shows that strong tornadoes have been decreasing for the past 58 years, says Richard Muller.
What is a book worth?
In an age of library downsizing, the first English-language book printed in the New World sets an auction record, says Jill Lepore.
After my suicide attempt, facing a maze of bureaucracy
A Marine, Thomas Brennan, endured no-answers, transfers, denials and red tape. The hospital stay was even worse.
Talking Points: Notable quotes from the week’s news
On going to college, the Iran nuclear talks, the papal agenda, Obama’s ears, Comet ISON, padding Twitter numbers.
Lessons in gratitude — and why it's the little gestures that matter
After Sarah Mervosh's grandfather passed away, she learned more about his life through the surprising legacy he left.
